JP2015091118A - Information processing device, communication control method and communication control program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To validate a COM port not usable in Windows 8, to thereby enable the use of the COM port.SOLUTION: A WWAN communication module 8 asserts a wake-up signal. A PMU 20, on detecting the asserted wake-up signal, instructs a USB bus switch 10 to switch a connection with the WWAN communication module 8 from a PCH 30 side to a PMU 20 side. The PMU 20 then resets the WWAN communication module 8, to validate a COM port 8a of the WWAN communication module 8.

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, a communication control method, and a communication control program.

  A COM port (COMmunication Port) is used for communications between a modem, a USB bus analyzer, a FAX, a WWAN (Wireless Wide Area Network) communication module and a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and debugging of an information processing apparatus.

  For example, remote control of a personal computer by SMS (Short Message Service) using WWAN is performed using a COM port of a WWAN communication module in Windows (registered trademark) 7.

  Specifically, when a personal computer is lost or stolen, the management server uses SMS to instruct the remote deletion of the encryption key of the data stored in the personal computer, the locking and unlocking of the personal computer, and the like. The WWAN communication module that has received the SMS message transmits a wake-up signal to the personal computer using the reception as a trigger to start Windows.

  The activated Windows uses the COM port of the WWAN communication module connected via USB to read out the message using the AT command, and then instructs the BIOS (Basic Input / Output System) to delete the encryption key. Lock and release.

  As a conventional technique, every time a command is received from a reader / writer, an IC card that selects the optimum communication method according to the characteristics of the command, notifies the reader / writer of the type of the selected communication method, and switches the communication method. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  Further, as a conventional technique related to an AT command, there is a data modulation / demodulation device that automatically shifts to a power saving mode or cancels a power saving mode based on an instruction by an AT command from a computer (for example, see Patent Document 2). ).

  Further, as a conventional technology related to USB, there is a USB switching hub that includes a plurality of upstream ports and downstream ports and can switch the connection between the upstream ports and the downstream ports (see, for example, Patent Document 3). .

JP 2004-185242 A JP 2001-16348 A Special table 2008-53885 gazette

  However, Windows 8 has a problem that the COM port cannot be used. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a comparison between Windows 7 and Windows 8 regarding the control of the WWAN communication module. As shown in FIG. 11, in Windows 7, the CPU 1 communicates with a WWAN communication module 8 connected to a USB host controller 30a included in a PCH (Platform Controller Hub) 30 via a USB bus, and using a COM port 8a. On the other hand, in Windows 8, since the COM port 8a cannot be used, the CPU 1 cannot communicate with the WWAN communication module 8 using the COM port 8a.

  In one aspect, an object of the present invention is to enable use of a COM port in an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer equipped with an OS (Operating System) that cannot use the COM port.

  In one aspect, an information processing apparatus disclosed in the present application includes a processing unit that performs information processing and a control unit that performs control. The control unit switches the connection of the communication port-equipped device including the communication port from the processing unit and connects to the communication port-equipped device, validates the communication port, and uses the validated communication port to attach the communication port. Control to communicate with the device.

  According to one embodiment, an information processing apparatus equipped with an OS that cannot use a COM port can use the COM port.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a control example of the PMU. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining remote control in Windows 7. FIG. 4A is a diagram for explaining the remote control of the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 4B is a diagram for explaining the remote control of the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of the WWAN communication module. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the PMU. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a flow of control switching of the WWAN communication module from the PCH side to the PMU side. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a flow when the control of the WWAN communication module is switched from the PCH side to the PMU side by an application. FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram showing a processing sequence for remote control. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the PMU. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a comparison between Windows 7 and Windows 8 regarding the control of the WWAN communication module.

  Embodiments of an information processing apparatus, a communication control method, and a communication control program disclosed in the present application will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that this embodiment does not limit the disclosed technology.

  First, the configuration of the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing apparatus 100 includes a CPU 1, a MEM 2, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 3, a USB 4, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 5, a wired LAN communication module 6, a connector 7, and the like. Have The information processing apparatus 100 includes a WWAN communication module 8, two antennas 9, a USB bus switch 10, and a PMU (Power Management Unit) 20.

  The CPU 1, MEM 2, LCD 3, USB 4, HDD 5, wired LAN communication module 6, USB bus switch 10, and PMU 20 are connected to the PCH 30.

  The CPU 1 is a central processing unit that reads a program from the MEM 2 and executes it. The MEM 2 is a memory for storing a program and a program execution result. The LCD 3 is a display device that displays a program execution result and the like.

  The USB 4 is an interface for connecting to an external device such as a mouse, keyboard, printer, USB memory or the like. The HDD 5 is a disk device that stores programs and data. The wired LAN communication module 6 is a device for communicating using a wired LAN, and the connector 7 is an RJ-45 compliant connector for connecting the wired LAN communication module 6 to a LAN cable.

  The WWAN communication module 8 is a device for communicating using the WWAN, and is, for example, an LTE (Long Term Evolution) communication module. The two antennas 9 are antennas for WWAN, one is a main antenna, and the other is an auxiliary antenna.

  The USB bus switch 10 is a switch for switching connection between a plurality of USB host controllers and a plurality of USD devices. Here, one of the PCH 30 and the PMU 20 having the USB host controller is connected to the WWAN communication module 8. .

  The PMU 20 is a device that performs power control, HDD 5 control, WWAN communication module 8 control, and the like. The PMU 20 has an MPU, and various controls can be performed by incorporating functions into firmware executed by the MPU.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a control example of the PMU 20. As shown in FIG. 2, the PMU 20 controls the USB bus switch 10 and the WWAN communication module 8. Further, the PMU 20 can control a power source, a charging circuit, a battery, a temperature sensor, a proximity sensor, a touch pad, a built-in keyboard, a brightness sensor, an acceleration sensor, and the like. The PMU 20 communicates with the CPU 1.

  The PCH 30 is a hub that incorporates a memory controller, a USB host controller, and the like, and connects the CPU 1 to other functional modules.

  Next, remote control of the information processing apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. 3, 4A, and 4B. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining remote control in Windows 7, and FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams for explaining remote control of the information processing apparatus 100 according to the embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in Windows 7, the WWAN communication module 8 asserts a wake-up signal when it receives a remote control SMS message from a management server that manages the information processing apparatus. Here, asserting means that a signal in the “high” state is set to “low” for a predetermined time and then returned to “high”. Here, the wake-up signal in the “high” state is set to “low” for 1 second and then returned to “high”.

  When the PMU detects the assertion of the wakeup signal, the PMU activates Windows via the PCH 30 connected by an LPC (Low Pin Count) bus. Note that the PMU activates Windows after the power is turned on when the information processing apparatus is powered off, and activates Windows after the wake-up during sleep.

  Windows reads the SMS message using the AT command from the COM port 8a of the WWAN communication module 8 via the PCH 30 and the USB bus, and deletes the encryption key and locks or unlocks the information processing device based on the SMS message. To instruct. Also, Windows instructs the WWAN communication module 8 using the AT command from the COM port 8a to acquire position information using GPS (Global Positioning System), acquires the position information, and transmits it to the management server.

  On the other hand, in the remote control of the information processing apparatus 100 according to the embodiment, Windows 8 is installed in the information processing apparatus 100, and Windows 8 cannot read the SMS message from the COM port 8a using the AT command. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4A, when the PMU 20 detects the assertion of the wake-up signal, it outputs a switching control signal to the USB bus switch 10. Before the switching control signal is issued, the USB bus switch 10 connects the USB host controller 30a included in the PCH 30 and the WWAN communication module 8.

  When the USB bus switch 10 receives the switching control signal from the PMU 20, the USB bus switch 10 switches to connect the USB host controller 20 a of the PMU 20 and the WWAN communication module 8 as shown in FIG. 4B. By this switching, the WWAN communication module 8 controlled by the CPU 1 can be controlled from the PMU 20.

  Then, the PMU 20 issues a reset instruction to the WWAN communication module 8, that is, an instruction to turn off the power. The WWAN communication module 8 whose power is turned off can be operated in the Windows 7 mode, and the COM port 8a can be used from the PMU 20.

  In starting up Windows 8, since Windows 7 is started first, and Windows 8 is started halfway, the WWAN communication module 8 first operates in the Windows 7 mode. When Windows 8 is started, the WWAN communication module 8 operates in the Windows 8 mode. Therefore, the WWAN communication module 8 connected to the PMU 20 and reset can operate in the Windows 7 mode.

  Then, the PMU 20 issues an AT command to the WWAN communication module 8 using the COM port 8a to read the SMS message, and based on the SMS message, deletes the encryption key, locks and unlocks the information processing apparatus 100, etc. Do.

  Further, the PMU 20 instructs the WWAN communication module 8 using the COM port 8a to acquire position information using the GPS function. Then, the PMU 20 acquires the position information from the WWAN communication module 8 and instructs the WWAN communication module 8 to transmit the position information together with the execution result of the remote control to the management server using SMS.

  Next, the configuration of the WWAN communication module 8 will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of the WWAN communication module 8. As shown in FIG. 5, the WWAN communication module 8 includes a COM port 8a, a COM communication unit 8b, a wireless reception unit 8c, a wireless transmission unit 8d, a comparison unit 8e, an assertion unit 8f, and a reset unit 8g. GPS unit 8h.

  The COM port 8 a is a port used for communication with the PMU 20 when the WWAN communication module 8 is connected to the PMU 20 by the USB bus switch 10. The COM communication unit 8b communicates with the PMU 20 using the COM port 8a. The wireless reception unit 8c receives data transmitted by WWAN such as an SMS message. The wireless transmission unit 8d transmits data such as an SMS message using WWAN.

  When the data received by the wireless reception unit 8c is an SMS message, the comparison unit 8e determines whether it is a remote control instruction. If the data is a remote control instruction, the comparison unit 8e asserts a wakeup signal to the assertion unit 8f. Instruct. Specifically, the comparison unit 8e stores the telephone number of the management server that performs remote control, and determines whether or not the telephone number included in the received SMS message is the telephone number of the management server. It is determined whether the message is a remote control instruction.

  The comparison unit 8e stores the SMS message. The SMS message stored by the comparison unit 8e is held in the comparison unit 8e even if the WWAN communication module 8 is reset. Here, the comparison unit 8e uses the telephone number of the management server, but other identifiers for identifying the management server can also be used.

  The asserting unit 8f asserts a wakeup signal based on an instruction from the comparing unit 8e. The reset unit 8 g resets the WWAN communication module 8 based on an instruction from the PMU 20. When the reset unit 8 g resets the WWAN communication module 8, the COM port 8 a can be used from the PMU 20. The GPS unit 8h acquires position information using GPS based on an instruction from the PMU 20, and transmits the acquired position information to the PMU 20.

  Next, the functional configuration of the PMU 20 will be described. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the PMU 20. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the PMU 20 includes an assert detection unit 21, a switching instruction unit 22, a reset instruction unit 23, a COM communication unit 24, and a PCH communication unit 25.

  The assert detection unit 21 detects assertion of the wakeup signal and notifies the switching instruction unit 22 of assertion of the wakeup signal. When the assertion of the wakeup signal is notified from the assert detection unit 21, the switching instruction unit 22 instructs the USB bus switch 10 to switch the connection with the WWAN communication module 8 from the PCH 30 to the PMU 20.

  The reset instruction unit 23 instructs the WWAN communication module 8 to reset. The COM communication unit 24 controls communication with the WWAN communication module 8 using the COM port 8a. Specifically, the COM communication unit 24 transmits an AT command to the COM port 8a and receives a response to the AT command from the COM port 8a.

  The PCH communication unit 25 communicates with the CPU 1 via the PCH 30. Specifically, the PCH communication unit 25 communicates with software such as an application that operates on the CPU 1.

  Next, the control switching flow of the WWAN communication module 8 from the PCH 30 side to the PMU 20 side will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a control switching flow of the WWAN communication module 8 from the PCH 30 side to the PMU 20 side.

  As shown in FIG. 7, when the WWAN communication module 8 receives the SMS message (step S1), the WWAN communication module 8 determines whether to assert the wake-up signal based on whether the SMS message is a remote control instruction (step S1). Step S2). As a result, when the SMS message is not a remote control instruction and the wakeup signal is not asserted, the WWAN communication module 8 operates in the Windows 8 mode and is controlled from the PCH 30 side (step S3).

  On the other hand, when the SMS message is a remote control instruction and the WWAN communication module 8 asserts the wakeup signal, the PMU 20 detects the assertion of the wakeup signal and instructs the USB bus switch 10 to switch the bus (step S4). Then, the USB bus switch 10 switches the bus from the PCH 30 side to the PMU 20 side.

  Then, the PMU 20 transmits a reset signal to the WWAN communication module 8 (step S5), and the WWAN communication module 8 is reset. Then, the WWAN communication module 8 can operate in the Windows 7 mode (step S6), and the COM port 8a is enabled (step S7).

  Then, the PMU 20 controls the WWAN communication module 8 (step S8). That is, the PMU 20 issues an AT command to the WWAN communication module 8 using the COM port 8a to read the SMS message, and based on the SMS message, deletes the encryption key, locks the information processing apparatus 100, and releases the lock. Do. In addition, the PMU 20 issues an AT command to the WWAN communication module 8 using the COM port 8a to acquire position information. Then, the PMU 20 instructs the WWAN communication module 8 to transmit the execution result of the remote control together with the position information of the information processing apparatus 100 to the management server.

  In this way, the PMU 20 switches the connection of the WWAN communication module 8 from the PCH 30 to its own device, resets the WWAN communication module 8 to enable the COM port 8a, and communicates with the WWAN communication module 8 using the COM port 8a. can do.

  Next, a flow when the control of the WWAN communication module 8 is switched from the PCH 30 side to the PMU 20 side by an application will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a flow when the control of the WWAN communication module 8 is switched from the PCH 30 side to the PMU 20 side by an application.

  As shown in FIG. 8, Windows 8 executes the application (step S11), and determines whether the application enables remote control (step S12). As a result, if the application is not an application that enables remote control, the WWAN communication module 8 operates in the Windows 8 mode and is controlled from the PCH 30 side (step S13).

  On the other hand, when the application enables the remote control, the Windows 8 instructs the PMU 20 to switch the USB bus switch 10 (step S14), and the PMU 20 instructs the USB bus switch 10 to switch the bus (step S15). . Then, the USB bus switch 10 switches the bus from the PCH 30 side to the PMU 20 side.

  Then, the PMU 20 transmits a reset signal to the WWAN communication module 8 (step S16), and the WWAN communication module 8 is reset. Then, the WWAN communication module 8 can operate in the Windows 7 mode (step S17), and the COM port 8a is enabled (step S18).

  Then, the PMU 20 controls the WWAN communication module 8 (step S19). For example, the PMU 20 registers the telephone number of the management server in the WWAN communication module 8 using the COM port 8a for remote control.

  As described above, the PMU 20 can activate the COM port 8a of the WWAN communication module 8 by receiving a switching instruction of the USB bus switch 10 from the Windows 8, and can communicate with the WWAN communication module 8 using the COM port 8a.

  Next, a remote control processing sequence will be described. FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram showing a processing sequence for remote control. As shown in FIG. 9, the management server receives a remote operation instruction from the administrator (step S21).

  Then, the management server transmits an SMS message via the WWAN (step S22). When the WWAN communication module 8 receives the SMS message, the WWAN communication module 8 determines whether the SMS message is from the registered specific telephone number, and asserts the wake-up signal if the SMS message is from the registered specific telephone number. (Step S23).

  When the PMU 20 detects the assertion of the wake-up signal, the PMU 20 switches the USB bus by instructing the USB bus switch 10 to switch the bus (step S24). Then, the PMU 20 transmits a reset signal to the WWAN communication module 8 and validates the COM port 8a (step S25).

  Then, the PMU 20 issues an AT command to the WWAN communication module 8 using the COM port 8a (step S26), and receives a response from the WWAN communication module 8 (step S27).

  As described above, the management server transmits the SMS message instructing the remote operation, and the WWAN communication module 8 receiving the SMS message asserts the wake-up signal. Then, the PMU 20 that has detected the assertion of the wake-up signal switches the USB bus and resets the WWAN communication module 8 to enable the COM port 8a. Therefore, the information processing apparatus 100 can perform communication using the COM port 8a.

  In FIG. 6, the functional configuration of the PMU 20 is shown, but a communication control program having the same function can be obtained by realizing the function of the PMU 20 with software. Therefore, the hardware configuration of the PMU 20 that executes the communication control program will be described.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the PMU 20. As shown in FIG. 10, the PMU 20 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) 41, an MPU (Micro Processing Unit) 42, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 43. The PMU 20 includes an LPC interface 44, a USB host controller 45, and a bus switch control unit 46.

  The ROM 41 is a read-only memory that stores programs and data. The MPU 42 is an arithmetic processing unit that reads a program from the ROM 41 and executes it. The RAM 43 is a memory that stores intermediate results of computations by the MPU 42.

  The LPC interface 44 is an LPC bus interface. The USB host controller 45 controls communication with a USB device using a USB bus. The bus switch control unit 46 controls the USB bus switch 10 by transmitting a switching control signal or the like to the USB bus switch 10.

  As described above, in the embodiment, when an SMS message instructing remote control of the information processing apparatus 100 is received, the WWAN communication module 8 asserts a wakeup signal. When the PMU 20 detects assertion of the wakeup signal, the PMU 20 instructs the USB bus switch 10 to switch the connection with the WWAN communication module 8 from the PCH 30 side to the PMU 20 side.

  Then, the PMU 20 resets the WWAN communication module 8 and enables the COM port 8a of the WWAN communication module 8. Then, the PMU 20 transmits an AT command to the WWAN communication module 8 using the COM port 8a to obtain an SMS message, deletes the encryption key of data in the HDD 5 based on the SMS message, locks or locks the information processing apparatus 100 Release.

  Therefore, even when Windows 8 is installed in the information processing apparatus 100, the PMU 20 can perform remote control based on the SMS message acquired from the WWAN communication module 8 using the COM port 8a.

  In the embodiment, the case where the information processing apparatus 100 includes the USB bus switch 10 and the WWAN communication module 8 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention is similarly applied when both the USB bus switch 10 and the WWAN communication module 8 or the WWAN communication module 8 is connected to the information processing apparatus 100 as an external device. Can do.

  In the embodiment, the case where the information processing apparatus 100 is remotely controlled has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be similarly applied to other applications using the COM port.

  In the embodiment, the case where the COM port 8a of the WWAN communication module 8 is used has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be similarly applied to the case of using the COM port of another communication device or the case of using the COM port of another device such as a USB bus analyzer.

  In the embodiment, the case where the USB bus and the USB bus switch 10 are used to connect to the COM port has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other buses and other bus switches are used. The same applies to the case of connecting to the COM port.

  In the embodiment, the case where the information processing apparatus 100 is installed with Windows 8 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the information processing apparatus is mounted with another OS that cannot use the COM port. Can be applied similarly.

  In the embodiment, the case where the WWAN communication module 8 receives a remote control instruction using the SMS service has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be similarly applied to the case where the WWAN communication module 8 receives a remote control instruction using another communication service.

  In the embodiment, the case where the PMU 20 communicates with the WWAN communication module 8 by enabling the COM port 8a has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be similarly applied to a case where another device having a CPU or MPU enables the COM port 8a to communicate with the WWAN communication module 8.

1 CPU
2 MEM
3 LCD
4 USB
5 HDD
6 wired LAN communication module 7 connector 8 WWAN communication module 8a COM port 8b COM communication unit 8c wireless reception unit 8d wireless transmission unit 8e comparison unit 8f assertion unit 8g reset unit 8h GPS unit 9 antenna 10 USB bus switch 20 PMU
20a, 30a USB host controller 21 Assert detection unit 22 Switching instruction unit 23 Reset instruction unit 24 COM communication unit 25 PCH communication unit 30 PCH
41 ROM
42 MPU
43 RAM
44 LPC interface 45 USB host controller 46 Bus switch control unit 100 Information processing device

Claims (9)

A processing unit for performing information processing;
The connection of the device with the communication port having the communication port is switched from the processing unit and connected to the device with the communication port, and the communication port is enabled and communicated with the device with the communication port using the enabled communication port. An information processing apparatus comprising: a control unit that performs control.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising the communication port-equipped device. The device with a communication port is a wireless communication device that wirelessly receives an instruction to remotely control the information processing device,
The information according to claim 1, wherein the control unit receives the instruction from the wireless communication apparatus using the communication port, and controls the information processing apparatus based on the received instruction. Processing equipment. The wireless communication device has a GPS function,
The control unit acquires position information of the information processing apparatus using the GPS function from the wireless communication apparatus using the communication port, and transmits the acquired position information together with a result of the remote control. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the information processing apparatus instructs the wireless communication apparatus. The processing unit and the control unit are connected to a USB bus switch,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit switches the connection with the communication port-equipped device from the processing unit by switching the USB bus switch.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit validates the communication port by resetting the device with the communication port.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is a power management unit that manages a power supply of the information processing apparatus. In a communication control method of an information processing apparatus having a processing unit that performs information processing and a control unit that performs control,
The control unit is
Switching the connection of the device with a communication port including the communication port from the processing unit and connecting the device with the communication port;
Enable the communication port;
A communication control method, comprising: executing processing for communicating with the communication port-equipped device using the validated communication port. In a communication control program for controlling communication of an information processing apparatus having a processing unit that performs information processing and a processor that performs control,
In the processor,
Switching the connection of the device with a communication port including the communication port from the processing unit and connecting the device with the communication port;
Enable the communication port;
A communication control program for executing processing for communicating with the communication port-attached device using the validated communication port.

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